The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 326

215. The Imperial War (2)

The war situation shifted rapidly.

With the declaration of the Imperial War in the North, each faction began to commit unprecedented resources to their chosen side.

The Istrian Three Kingdoms sought to stabilize their most important territories in response to the changing war situation.

Princess Viola, guided by the two veterans of the Twin Armor, began the restoration of Istan and Tvanel.

Thanks to the veterans’ strong support among the people, there was no rebellion against her after the defeat in the Three Kingdoms War.

Also,

The Kingdom of Penria was completely controlled by Grace Panfinel’s Knights. Prior to this, major rebel forces had already been suppressed by Miliana, leaving only her supporters.

The people, who had long criticized the incompetent leadership of the Kingdom of Penria, rather welcomed Viola’s appearance. She announced Carryl’s support in the war against the Empire, advocating not for the Istrian Three Kingdoms, but for a unified alliance.

The Lanion Alliance.

With the emergence of Princess Viola’s new force, the continent began to be enveloped in the clouds of war.

“Is the preparation complete?”

“All troops are gathering at Twin Armor, the forward base. It will be completed within a month.”

“Hurry a bit more. We are the last to mobilize. We must not fall behind this time. The Empire must have already finished its preparations. We must join in time for the war.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Grace nodded towards Viola, who was looking down from the palace terrace.

The capital was bustling with countless carriages, and soldiers continued to move through the open gates.

How long has it been?

For the city to be so vibrant.

“It’s wonderful.”

Viola said quietly.

She had become sharper and more keen.

It wasn’t just about her appearance; it seemed that the time she had spent had tempered her, and the bearing of a queen was slowly emerging.

“Yes. Isn’t it the first time?”

But it was the same for Grace. Although only slightly, he had stepped into the ranks of Sword Master, and even now, standing still, a subtle magical aura could be felt.

“What is?”

“The Three Kingdoms were nominally united and allied, but in reality, they had been wary of each other until now, so they couldn’t grow properly. But now, under the Princess, they are united as one. As a true alliance.”

Viola smiled faintly at his words.

“It’s just a pity that this unity is for war, not peace.”

Grace also nodded.

“No. It is a war for peace.”

As if to comfort Viola, he finished with one word and raised his hand to call someone.

Then, a servant waiting in front of the door came with something in both hands.

“I found this in the royal warehouse. It’s a family heirloom… It seems that His Majesty hasn’t used it for a long time.”

Grace made a wry expression, knelt down, and handed her the long object he was holding.

“It’s rather fortunate. If Father had used it carelessly and even broken it, the previous kings would have wept bitterly.”

She said, looking at the rapier he was offering.

“Silver Wrath.”

The extremely thin rapier fit perfectly in her hand, as if it had been made for her slender frame.

The golden jewel embedded in the handle of the rapier sparkled.

Swish―

Viola drew the sword halfway from its scabbard.

The sharp blade made a clear sound, as if eager to be used immediately.

She looked at Silver Wrath and murmured quietly.

“Now, the preparation is complete.”

* * *

The Duchy, having heard the news that the Istrian Three Kingdoms and the South were mobilizing, was also enveloped in the clouds of war, even though it was across the sea.

Thump― Thump―!

Wheeeeeek……!!

The sound of machines turning echoed loudly everywhere. Countless people moved in an orderly fashion in the underground ruins beneath the Frost Highlands in the North.

“The commercialization of Golem Armor is complete. First of all, we will equip small golems as quickly as possible.”

“That’s fast. It was only recently that we completed the design.”

“Isn’t it all thanks to the support of the Gnome Kingdom?”

Anslem Howard, whose skin had turned pale from being stuck underground for so long, looked tired as if he hadn’t slept for several nights, but he didn’t seem exhausted.

Winglehardt, a golem technician and magical engineer, also nodded at his words.

“We couldn’t have done this without Calipson.”

“You flatter me. What have we done?”

However, the old gnome, sitting at a large iron desk in front of them and tinkering with something, did not turn his head and simply answered in a low voice, as if concentrating on his work.

“The gnomes’ craftsmanship is something we can’t keep up with. It has been a great help. We have already confirmed its power in the Istrian Three Kingdoms War.”

Winglehardt said with satisfaction.

“Thanks to that, Revol was also able to fix the core, so you can say that it has risen another level.”

“However… It’s a pity that we couldn’t make Ascalon’s trigger stone. It would have been different if he had helped, but it’s a shame.”

“How can everyone’s intentions be the same?”

“Still, the Golden Magic Society must have knowledge of the synthesis of attribute stones. At least we can find a clue, can’t we?”

Anslem Howard clicked his tongue and said.

Before leaving, Carryl had given him two orders. One was the development of golems, and the other was the creation of formations.

Anslem thought that Deryl Harian, the head of the Golden Magic Society, was the right person to carry out these two tasks.

The Golden Magic Society, led by him, called the Magic Bullet, was a secret society organized to find Polsetia, a great magic book that existed in the mythical era.

Although they had lent their strength to the Duchy, now that the Duchy had collapsed, they refused to lend their strength any further and said that achieving their calling was their priority.

“The Great Magic Book… I wonder if there really is such a thing.”

Calipson said while crafting the attribute stone.

“You never know. The Golden Magic Society might create an unexpected variable.”

“Will they?”

“I just hope that the variable is directed towards us.”

“Carryl will ignore even that variable.”

“Indeed.”

The three smiled faintly.

“Good. We won’t have to go empty-handed. We’ll have something to show him.”

Calipson said to Anslem, placing a white stone on his hand.

“What is that?”

“It’s still a prototype… I was able to make it in time by the skin of my teeth. It’s the colorless attribute stone he asked me for.”

Calipson put the stone in a small box.

Clang―

Whirrrrr……!

Then, countless mechanisms inside the box activated and were sealed in several layers.

“You’ve made so many weapons, when did you…”

Anslem couldn’t help but admire Calipson, knowing that he had been helping with the production of golems and wyverns’ weapons for a long time, working day and night.

“Isn’t it the same for you? I heard you created a new formation this time?”

“I’m still lacking, though.”

“Heh heh…….”

Calipson laughed at Anslem’s words.

Having researched together until now, he knew very well that the word ‘lacking’ did not suit Anslem.

“Even if you say that, you have an expectant face that you want to show him. By the way, Kal is waiting at the port, right?”

“That’s right.”

Kal, the Mac Meister [a master merchant] of his previous life who first started trading with the Gnome Kingdom, was now operating all of Tatur’s ships in place of Suan.

The rough sailors were initially dissatisfied with him becoming their leader at a young age, but as time passed, he established himself as the owner of the strait, no matter what anyone said.

Calipson got up from his seat.

Thump― Thump―!

Cheeeee……!

Below, he looked at the many gnomes he had taught, busily crafting attribute stones.

A dreamlike sight.

The old gnome had a lifelong wish to protect this sight that he had never seen before.

He looked at Anslem and said.

“Let’s go. To do my part.”

* * *

“How about this?”

“Hmm…….”

The old man looked at the chess pieces moving on the desk and let out a low breath with a stiff face.

“How long has it been since you came here?”

“It’s been three months already.”

“Heh heh…….”

At first glance, it looked like chess, but considering its size, it was by no means ordinary.

On closer inspection, it was not placed on the desk, but floating vaguely in the air like an opaque video.

Tak―

The old man flicked his finger, and the chess piece moved.

Surprisingly, the board in front of the two was not a normal board with 8 squares on each side, but the board they were using was three times that size, with 24 squares, a huge board with 576 squares.

The number of pieces was also four times that of the king and queen.

It was not a simple chess game, but a scene that resembled a real war.

“Amazing. In just three months, you have perfectly deciphered Resonance, the Dawn Society’s book of magic. As you wish, the Dawn Society acknowledges your magical knowledge.”

With the news of the war spreading across the sea and the entire continent moving busily, there was a place that was uniquely distant from the commotion.

The Ivory Tower.

It was the base of the Dawn Society, one of the two major factions of the Continental Magic Society.

The old man took out a small box from under the desk.

“It’s a collection of magical academic books compiled by Kaie Esir in the past. Until now, no one has been able to achieve such magic, but you will be different. The magic you showed us for the first time certainly resembles the power of the dragon hunter 250 years ago.”

“That’s not what I want.”

“Your talent is comparable to Serga’s. In a different sense from his magic, though.”

“What do I have to do to meet him?”

“From the moment I first saw you, I noticed your unexpected talent. But that’s why I didn’t let you meet Serga.”

“The Society Master keeps beating around the bush. I have to negotiate with him.”

“I don’t know why you’re so stubborn. You’re already a skilled magician as it is.”

The old man said with a stiff face.

“Serga is not in the Dawn Society. He’s already returned to the Empire a long time ago.”

A deep magical power was felt in the dignified voice, and a long history was evident in every elegant gesture.

The old man, wearing a light ivory robe, looked ahead with deep eyes.

He was none other than Bertch Blano, the master of the Ivory Tower and the head of the Dawn Society, who possessed the highest level of magical power among all the magicians on the continent.

The magic power approaching the 8th class could be felt even in just breathing in and out.

“Mikhail.”

Bertch looked at him, who had been talking to him.

“…The Dawn Society has finally solidified its position to protect him. I thought it was a magic society that maintained neutrality. I didn’t know that you, a great magician with enough skill to kill me, would waste time with the tower’s test.”

A subtle magical power was felt from Mikhail.

It was like an onion, with another shell inside the shell, and a feeling that countless shells were stacked on top of each other.

“Serga is an excellent disciple, and it’s not because you’re a foreigner. He’s a magician who trained at the Empire’s academy. That means that if you cause any problems in a duel with him, it’s turning the Empire into an enemy.”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s already an enemy.”

“…What?”

Mikhail smiled as he looked at him.

No, in some ways, the Ivory Tower may be the first place to declare war on the Empire.

Kwaang―――!!!

It was then.

“Block it!!”

“Protect the tower gate!!”

Suddenly, a loud noise came from below the tower.

“…….”

Bertch Blano looked at Mikhail with a stiff face for a moment.

“Mikhail!!!”

At that moment, a girl’s beautiful voice was heard from below the tower.

Mikhail smiled unconsciously at the familiar voice.

Kwaaaang―!!

“Aagh!!”

“Ugh……!”

Smoke billowed down the stairs, and soon the place where the smoke touched began to freeze.

“To be honest, I was worried. How can I prove myself to my lord? The Society Master said that I could take on any challenge I wanted if I reached the top of the tower. But it seems that the Magic Society is afraid of the Empire. Now I know that he’s not here.”

“You…….”

As Bertch Blano’s magic power subtly surged, Mikhail felt as if a strong force was pressing down on both shoulders.

“Are you thinking of turning not only the Empire but also the Dawn Society into an enemy? Your courage is commendable, but do you really think you can escape the Dawn Society safely!!”

“It’s impossible for me alone.”

At that moment,

The door to the room was opened roughly.

“What are you doing? Carryl sent you a long time ago, why are you still here?”

Serica Loren said, slamming a huge scythe-like spear on the floor.

Her appearance was quite different from what Mikhail remembered.

The body that had only looked delicate was refined like a sharp sword, and the scars visible here and there showed what kind of training she had been through.

“I don’t have time to chat with old men. So don’t play with old men’s tricks.”

She rubbed her nose and pulled Mikhail’s hand.

Hwarururuk……!!

It was then.

Black smoke rose from around her, and strange soldiers wrapped in bandages appeared.

“What is this……?”

“Slaves. I heard they’re the immortal unit created by the necromancers of the Immortal Society.”

Mikhail asked with a surprised expression at the undead who appeared bowing like mummies.

“But why are they here?”

“Carryl… No, it’s the Lord’s order. To open the gates of the Imperial War, starting with the fall of the Dawn Society.”

Magic is what can create the most variables on the battlefield.

At the point when many magicians of the Dawn Society, who support the Empire, join the war, the outcome of the war could become difficult to predict.

On the other hand, the soldiers of the Immortal Society are undead, not humans.

Even if the attack on the Ivory Tower fails, there will be no disruption to the forces, so it was a win-win situation.

“And this is a personal message. If you don’t complete this task properly, I won’t let you off the hook. Aidan offered Simon Coden’s head. That’s what he said.”

“Ha… Haha…….”

Mikhail burst into a hollow laugh at Serica’s words.

Aagh……! Aaaaagh……!!

Whether the Immortal Society’s slaves were summoned from under the Ivory Tower, fighting sounds and screams were heard here and there.

“You bitch……!! How dare you come here!!”

At the same time as the cry of anger, an intense magic power that was so intense that it was impossible to breathe exploded from Bertch Blano’s entire body.

Simon Coden, the owner of the Eastern Country, was certainly a great strongman, but the person in front of him was the best among the existing magicians.

The amount of magic power was so great that it approached the 8th class. Mikhail, whose opponent to prove himself had changed to a strongman who could not be compared to Serga, wondered if he could defeat him.

Kkaang―!!

But without any hesitation or worry, Serica swung a huge scythe-like spear with all her might towards the old magician’s neck.

“Fighting isn’t about being polite. If you’ve made up your mind, you shouldn’t ask for permission, you should bite their necks first.”

Kkadeudeuk…… Kkadeudeuk……!!

Her attack was futilely blocked by Bertch’s shield magic.

“Is this all you have to offer to fight me? A magician who uses a spear? Such a hybrid with no roots……!!”

“So what?”

But instead of having time to be afraid or worry, she just swung her spear once more.

“The war has already begun. Watch your neck. Even stray dogs have teeth.”